The BikePlan Source Home Page is our effort to help you improve bicycling conditions in your community. It includes an online bicycle planning and program guide, a reference library, a bit about who we are, and access to other sites.

Blurb From Website What's the best helmet to buy?

Consumer Reports published a helmet article in 2002 showing good test results for

• Giro GilaT
• Trek Vapor (at $40 rated as a Best Buy)
• Giro Torrent
• Specialized Enduro Comp

(Giro says their Transit is the same helmet as the Torrent without a visor.)

Consumer Reports can't test everything on the market, so they did not cover most of the other brands.

We think you can do just as well by finding a helmet that fits you well, is round and smooth on the outside, and has a sticker inside certifying that it meets the CPSC standard. We have a description of what we consider to be the ideal helmet, and a long piece on Helmets for the Current Season if you want more info.

Who makes the coolest helmet?

Marketing hype aside, coolness always depends on ventilation, and that depends mostly on the size of the front vents. Consumer Reports found all of the adult helmets they tested were Good for ventilation, with the Specialized M1 rated excellent. But you can look at a helmet and see 90 per cent of the ventilation story. Most riders will not need all the vents you see in the most expensive models. What will I pay for it? Our local K-Mart, Toys R Us and Wal-Mart discount stores have smooth, round, helmets meeting the CPSC standard on sale regularly for about $10 to $25, and most discount stores are under $30. Local bike shops have major brands for $35 to $150.

The UMCA:
Organizes the Year-Rounder which showcases consistent performance in cycling throughout the year. The Y-R includes the Larry Schwartz award which recognizes riders who complete (at least) a century every month. Riders earn certificates, medals and plaques and top riders are recognized in UltraCycling.

Sponsors the John Marino Competition, a series of races to determine the best ultra racers of the season, with divisions based on age and gender. Riders earn medals and plaques and are eligible for prizes. Top riders are recognized in UltraCycling.

Certifies ultra cycling records. Setting a record is a significant achievement for an endurance cyclist and a great way to prepare for racing. Records are categorized by age and gender and may be set by solo riders, tandem riders and 2- or 4-person relay teams. Record setters are awarded plaques.

Sanctions qualifying for RAAM. Qualifying for the Race Across America is a major achievement for an ultra cyclist. RAAM-qualified riders receive a UMCA plaque.

Publishes UltraCycling magazine six times a year, which provides the information you need to excel/

What do you get when you combine the low-impact aerobic workout of cycling, the challenge of a racket sport, and the camaraderie of a team sport? Bicycle Polo!

Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road.

The idea started in San Francisco in September 1992 and quickly spread to cities all over the world.

This site attempts to be the most complete guide to local Critical Mass rides around the globe.